Dual manicure and pedicure support

ABSTRACT

A dual manicure and pedicure support apparatus for supporting a user&#39;s hand or foot to facilitate care of fingernails or toenails. In one embodiment, a body member includes a generally planar base, an upper work surface, and a front work surface sloped for receiving a hand or a foot thereon. The body member includes a generally trapezoidal side-profile and is composed of flexible material. The upper work surface includes a plurality of holes and slots for storage of items utilized during a manicure or pedicure. The body member includes opposed sides curved inwardly to allow positioning between the user&#39;s legs during a manicure. The back side includes an enclosure covered by elastic netting for storage of utensils used in the manicure or pedicure. The body member is easily moved from between a user&#39;s legs for a manicure to a position for a pedicure without modifying the body member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.Design application, Ser. No. 29/167,072, filed on Sep. 9, 2002.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention pertains to manicure and pedicure support devices,and more particularly, pertains to a hand or a foot support for useduring a manicure and/or a pedicure.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] A typical manicure includes placing one hand on a surface for anattendant or the user to trim and file the fingernails and to apply acoating of nail polish to the fingernail surfaces. A manicurist mayutilize a table top on which the attendant positions the trimmingutensils and individual containers holding coatings and polishes to beapplied to the user's fingernails. During a pedicure, whetherself-administered by the user or applied by an attendant, the foot istypically positioned against an elevated surface for the user or theattendant to trim and file the toenails and to apply coatings andpolishes to the toenail surfaces. Prior manicure hand supports andpedicure foot supports are generally not adaptable for dual use as asupport device for both a hand and a foot without structuralmodifications. A need exists for a dual support device that isconfigured for positioning a hand thereon while the support device ispositioned proximal to a user during a manicure, and is configured foraccepting a foot thereon during a pedicure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with various features of the present invention, adual manicure and pedicure support apparatus is provided for supportinga user's hand or foot to facilitate trimming and polishing of the user'sfingernails or toenails while the user is seated, reclining, orstanding. In one embodiment, the dual manicure and pedicure supportincludes a body member having a base, an upper work surface, a backsurface and a front work surface disposed to receive thereon a hand fora manicure or a foot for a pedicure. The body member includes opposedsides curved inwardly in one embodiment to allow positioning of the bodymember between the legs of the user during a manicure. In oneembodiment, the body member includes a generally trapezoidalside-profile, with the front work surface being sloped for receivingthereon the fingers of a hand or the toes of a foot. In the preferredembodiment, the upper work surface includes a plurality of indentationsdisposed thereon, such as holes and slots for storage therein ofcontainers of coatings and items utilized during a manicure or apedicure. The back surface of the body member includes an indentedenclosure that is covered by elastic netting for storage therein ofcontainers and items used in the manicure or the pedicure. The bodymember is easily shifted from a position between a user's legs for amanicure of either hand, to a position proximal to either foot for apedicure without modifications to the body member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become moreclearly understood from the following detailed description of theinvention read together with the drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual manicure and pedicuresupport apparatus of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1, illustrating the curved sides ofthe body member of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1, illustrating the upper worksurface having a plurality of indentations therein;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, illustrating a footpositioned on the front work surface of the body member for a pedicure;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 1, illustrating anenclosure in the back surface of the body member;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, illustrating the bodymember positioned between a user's legs for a manicure; and

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of adual manicure and pedicure support member positioned between a user'sknees for a manicure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A dual manicure and pedicure support apparatus 10 is disclosed asillustrated generally in FIG. 1, including a body member 12 having abase length generally greater than the height of the body member 12. Thebody member 12 provides a front surface having a sloped configurationfor support of a user's hand or foot in a comfortable position tofacilitate trimming, filing, and applying of coatings and polish to theuser's fingernails or toenails during a manicure or a pedicure. The bodymember 12 includes a plurality of indentations in an upper surface forstorage of utensils 72, 74 and containers 68, 70 holding nail coatingsand polish during a manicure or a pedicure. The body member 12 isutilized by a user in a seated, a reclining, or a standing position witheither a hand or a foot positioned against the body member 12. FIG. 1illustrates the body member 12 as having a base 14, an upper worksurface 24, a sloped front work surface 32, inwardly curved sides 42,46, and a back side 62.

[0017] In one embodiment of the dual manicure and pedicure supportapparatus 10, the body member 12 includes a shape having a base lengthof about one foot, and having a height of between about six inches andabout ten inches. When viewed from either side, the body member 12 isshaped in a generally trapezoidal profile (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). Thebody member 12 is preferably composed of flexible materials such asporous foam materials including a polyester and polyether urethane foam,a polyethylene foam, or comparable resiliently flexible materials. Apreferred flexible material includes a foam having a density in a rangeof between about 1.65 pounds/cubic feet to about 1.9 pounds/cubic feet.The foam firmness for one embodiment of the body member 12 is in a rangeof about 56 pounds to about 77 pounds for a density of about 1.7pounds/cubic feet to about 1.9 pounds/cubic feet. The foam firmness foranother embodiment of the body member 12 is in a range of about 85pounds to about 105 pounds for a density of about 1.65 pounds/cubic feetto about 1.85 pounds/cubic feet. The foam firmness of the materialscomposing the body member 12 is measured by testing methods utilizingstandard ASTM procedures know to those skilled in the art.

[0018] A preferred embodiment for the body member 12 includes a base 14that is substantially planar to provide a stable support base forplacement of the body member 12 on a generally horizontal surface. Thebase 14 includes a first side 16, an opposed second side 18, and a frontedge 20 that form generally straight edges and are flexible due to theproperties of the porous foam material. The flexibility of the base 14,sides 16, 18 and front edge 20 allows the base 14 to temporarily conformto partially uneven supporting surfaces when placed on the user's legs,on a chair, or on a bed during a manicure or a pedicure.

[0019] The body member 12 includes an upper work surface 24 that isgenerally planar and is disposed substantially parallel to the base 14.A plurality of indentations such as holes 26, 26′, 28, 28′, are disposedproximal to each corner of the upper work surface 24 in the illustratedembodiment. Each hole 26, 26′, 28, 28′ includes a diameter that isslightly less that the diameter of a typical coating container. Theflexible foam material composing the body member 12 allows the perimeterof each hole to be elastic and adjustable in diameter, thereforeallowing each hole to accept differently shaped containers 68, 70 ofcoatings and nail polish for temporary storage on the upper work surface24 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). In a central portion of the upper work surface24, the plurality of indentations also includes a plurality of slots 30,30′ and 30″ that are disposed with an adequate depth to providetemporary storage for utensils utilized during a manicure or a pedicure,such as a nail file 72 and a cuticle pusher 74, or other manicure andpedicure trimming utensils. The position of the holes 26, 26′, 28, 28′and slots 30, 30′ and 30″ on the upper work surface 24 provides the userwith convenient access to containers and utensils for application on theuser's or a client's fingernails or toenails positioned proximal with afront edge 24′ of the upper work surface 24.

[0020] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a front worksurface 32 includes a sloped surface 34 that is angled at about aforty-five degree angle from the front edge 20 of the base 14 to theupper work surface 24. This angle can vary as desired. The slopedsurface 34 provides a support for either foot (see FIG. 4), or a supportfor either hand (see FIG. 6) during a pedicure or a manicure. Therelationship of the front work surface 32 and the upper work surface 24provides a benefit to the user by allowing positioning of toes orfingers proximal to the front edge 24′ for efficient application ontoenails or fingernails of coatings and nail polish. Significant delaysin locating brushes and trimming utensils are minimized during theapplication of a quick-drying coating and nail polish on the user's nailsurfaces, due to the positioning of coating and polish containers 68, 70and brushes, along with trimming utensils 72, 74 in the plurality ofindentations on the upper work surface 24.

[0021] In order to provide convenient and secure positioning of the bodymember 12 relative to the user, the opposed sides 42, 46 are shaped toinclude inwardly curved mid-segments 44, 48 which accommodate theinterior sides of a user's legs when the user utilizes the body member12 for a manicure. The curved mid-segments 44, 48 provide opposedconcave sides which can be readily gripped by the knees or thighs of theuser for positioning of the body member 12 in a generally uprightconfiguration during a manicure (see FIG. 6). Lower portions 50, 52 ofeach side 42, 46 are flared outwards to intersect with the first side 16and second side 18 of the base 14 to provide a stable foundation for thebody member 12.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sloped front work surface 32receives thereon at least one of the user's feet, and possibly both feetfor a pedicure when the user is seated. If the user rests one foot onthe front work surface 32 with the toes positioned proximal the frontedge 24′, the user's other foot can be positioned adjacent to eitherlower portion 50, 52. The body member 12 is maintained in an uprightposition by the pressure of at least one foot against the front worksurface 32. Additional stabilizing support is provided during a pedicureby the body member 12 positioned adjacent to a chair or bed, orpositioned against one of the user's ankles or legs with either of theupper side walls 54, 56 serving as a flexible support surface tostabilize the upper work surface 24 while the user's foot is positionedon the front work surface 32.

[0023] The back side 62 of the body member 12 is illustrated in FIG. 5and includes a substantially planar and generally vertical surface. Theback side 62 includes at least one enclosure 64 centrally disposed inthe back side 62 with a depth of about one inch to about two inches. Theenclosure 64 is covered by a flexible net 66 attached at each of fourcorners to an upper and lower sides of the enclosure 64. The flexiblenet 66 is resiliently stretched for insertion therein of items utilizedduring a manicure or a pedicure, such as containers 68, 70,appropriately sized brushes (not shown), a nail file 72, and/or acuticle pusher 74 or other trimming utensils. With the items temporarilystored in the enclosure 64, the body member 12 is easily moved betweenlocations of use, or is shifted from a first position between a user'slegs during a manicure to a second position for receiving either of theuser's feet for a pedicure without modifications to the body member 12.

[0024] In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the bodymember 82 includes a base 84 supporting opposed sides 86, 88 that aresubstantially flat and vertical, and are generally parallel to eachother. The body member 82 is shaped in a trapezoidal side-profile and ispreferably composed of flexible materials such that each side 86, 88 isresiliently compressed by the user upon application of pressure againsteach side which will return to an uncompressed shape after beingreleased. The body member 82 includes the additional features of a frontsloped surface 90 and a front edge 94 for placement of a hand or a footthereon, and a back side 92 having an enclosure therein (not shown). Anupper work surface 96 includes a plurality of holes 98, 98′, 98″, 98′″and slots 100, 100′, 100″ disposed thereon, in order to provide storagefor utensils used during a manicure or pedicure. Alternativearraignments of the holes and slots on upper work surface 96 will beapparent to one skilled in the art. The body member 82 is utilized in amanner illustrated in FIG. 7, with the user gripping the opposed sides86, 88 between his or her knees, thereby compressing each side 86, 88during a manicure for secure positioning of the body member 82. Uponremoval of pressure against each side, the opposed sides 86, 88 returnto the substantially flat and vertical orientation, thereby providing astable base for repositioning for use during a pedicure.

[0025] From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the dual manicure and pedicure support apparatus 10 caninclude an alternative embodiment of the body member 12 having anarcuate back side ledge for placement of a hand or foot on an upperportion of the back side ledge, without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Another embodiment of the body member 12can include a base having an upwardly arched middle portion orientedalong the lengthwise axis of the base, for positioning the body member12 on a curved surface such as a portion of a reclining user's torso oron the user's leg for use during a manicure. An additional embodiment ofthe body member 12 includes arcuate sides that are inwardly angled toabout a mid-segment of each side 42, 46, with an upwardly curved portionconnected to respective sides of the upper work surface 24. Anotheralternate embodiment includes a base width having a lesser width thanthe upper work surface width in order to position the base of the bodymember 12 within a narrow opening such as between the user's crossedlegs or between a table and an armchair while the user is in a seated orreclining position.

[0026] While the present invention has been illustrated by descriptionof several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the applicant's intention torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representativeapparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.Departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of applicants' general inventive concept.

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, we claim:
 1. Asupport apparatus utilized for a manicure and/or a pedicure, comprising:a body member including a base, an upper work surface, a back surface,and a front work surface disposed to receive thereon a hand for amanicure or a foot for a pedicure; and opposed sides of said body memberfor positioning between a user's legs during the manicure.
 2. Thesupport apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body member includes atrapezoidal side-profile and is composed of flexible material.
 3. Thesupport apparatus of claim 2 wherein said front work surface is slopedat about a forty-five degree angle from said base to said upper worksurface.
 4. The support apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upper worksurface includes a plurality of indentations disposed therein, saidplurality of indentations arraigned in spaced-apart orientation fromeach indentation, whereby said plurality of indentations provide forplacement therein of items utilized during a manicure or a pedicure. 5.The support apparatus of claim 3 wherein said front work surfaceincluding a front edge connecting with said upper work surface, saidfront work surface is disposed to receive either the user's hand or theuser's foot thereon with the user's fingernails or toenails positionedproximal to said front edge of said upper work surface.
 6. The supportapparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposed sides including a concavecurvature disposed laterally along a mid-segment of each opposed sidefor gripping by the user's legs during the manicure.
 7. The supportapparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposed sides including a concavecurvature originating along each side of said base, said concavecurvature extending proximal to a mid-segment of each opposed side. 8.The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said back surface includes anenclosure centrally disposed in said back surface, said enclosure havinga flexible net attached to said back surface to cover said enclosure,whereby said flexible net is stretched by the user for insertion thereinof items utilized during a manicure or a pedicure.
 9. The supportapparatus of claim 1 wherein said back surface includes a substantiallyrectangular enclosure disposed in said back surface, said enclosurehaving a flexible net attached to said back surface to cover saidenclosure, whereby said flexible net is stretched by the user forinsertion into said enclosure of items utilized during a manicure or apedicure.
 10. A support device utilized for supporting a user's hand fora manicure or for supporting a user's foot for a pedicure, comprising: abody member composed of a flexible material having a base surface and anupper work surface in parallel orientation; a back side extended betweensaid base surface and said upper work surface; opposed sides havinginwardly curved segments extending between said base surface and saidupper work surface, said opposed sides positioned between the user'slegs during the manicure; and a front work surface of said body memberbeing angled at less than a ninety degree angle from said base surfaceto said upper work surface, said front work surface accepts either ofthe user's foot or either of the user's hand thereon during a pedicureor manicure.
 11. The support device of claim 10 wherein said opposedsides including said inwardly curved segments being oriented laterallyalong a central segment of each opposed side.
 12. The support device ofclaim 10 wherein said upper work surface includes a plurality ofindentations disposed therein, said plurality of indentations arraignedin spaced-apart orientation from each indentation, whereby saidplurality of indentations provide for placement therein of itemsutilized during a manicure and/or a pedicure.
 13. The support device ofclaim 12 wherein said plurality of indentations include a plurality ofcylindrical indentations and at least one elongated indentation in saidupper work surface.
 14. A support device utilized for a positioning ahand for a manicure or for positioning a foot for a pedicure,comprising: a body member having a trapezoidal side-profile, said bodymember including a base and an opposed upper work surface extended insubstantially parallel orientation from a back side; a front worksurface opposed from said back side, said front work surface beingangled to receive a hand or a foot thereon, whereby the user's fingersare positioned proximal to said upper work surface during a manicure andthe user's toes are positioned proximal to said upper work surfaceduring a pedicure; and opposed sides curved inwardly to be readilygripped between the user's legs to position said body member proximal tothe user's during the manicure.
 15. The support device of claim 14wherein said upper work surface including a plurality of indentationsdisposed therein, said plurality of indentations arraigned inspaced-apart orientation from each indentation, whereby said pluralityof indentations provide for placement therein of items utilized duringthe manicure and/or the pedicure.
 16. The support device of claim 14wherein said back side includes an enclosure centrally disposed in saidback side, said enclosure having a flexible net attached to said backside to cover said enclosure, whereby said flexible net is stretched bythe user for insertion therein of items utilized during the manicureand/or the pedicure.
 17. The support device of claim 14 wherein saidfront work surface including a front edge connecting with said upperwork surface, said front work surface is disposed to receive either theuser's hand or the user's foot thereon with the user's fingernails ortoenails positioned proximal to said front edge and said upper worksurface.
 18. A support device utilized for a manicure and/or a pedicure,comprising: a body member including a base surface and a spaced-apartupper work surface composed of a flexible material; a back sideextending between said base surface and said upper work surface; opposedsides having inwardly curved surfaces for positioning said body memberbetween the user's legs during a manicure; and a front work surfacehaving an angled surface sloped upwardly from said base surface to saidupper work surface, said front work surface accepts a hand or a footthereon, whereby the user's fingernails or toenails are positionedproximal to said upper work surface during the manicure or a pedicure.19. The support device of claim 18 wherein said upper work surfaceincluding a plurality of indentations disposed in said flexible materialof said upper work surface, said plurality of indentations are sized toallow placement therein of items used during the manicure or pedicure.20. The support device of claim 18 wherein said front work surfacehaving said angled surface sloped at about a forty-five degree anglefrom said base surface to said upper work surface.